Work of committees

Oversight of the Health Ombudsman and the health service complaints management system (LAPSED)

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Inquiry Overview
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Overview

The Health and Community Services Committee is responsible for monitoring and review of the operation of the health service complaints management system, which includes:

the Health Ombudsman
the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA, the National Agency) and fourteen health practitioner registration boards (National Boards) – regarding the conduct, performance and health of registered health practitioners who provide health services in Queensland.

The Health Ombudsman commenced operations on 1 July 2014, and replaced the former Health Quality and Complaints Commission.

In accordance with section 179 of the Health Ombudsman Act 2013 the committee’s function is to:

monitor and review the operation of the health service complaints management system;
identify and report on particular ways in which the health service complaints management system might be improved;
monitor and review the performance by the Health Ombudsman of the health ombudsman’s functions
monitor and review the National Boards’ and National Agency’s performance of their functions relating to the health, conduct and performance of registered health practitioners who provide health services in Queensland
examine reports of the Health Ombudsman, the National Agency and National Boards
advise the Minister in relation to the appointment of the health ombudsman
report to the Legislative Assembly on matters referred by the Legislative Assembly, and any matter the committee considers should be brought to the Assembly’s attention.

The committee’s functions do not include re-investigating complaints or reconsidering a decision or finding of the Health Ombudsman, AHPRA or the national boards.